US star Geary returns to the city

Irish born Geary, who has built up links with several local musicians after playing a show here a few years ago, emigrated to America in 1992, at just 19 years old.

Within days, the Dublin musician found himself at the heart of the hugely influential East Village scene and invited to play at the iconic Sin-e Club, on the same bill as Buckley.

But he said later: “It was a huge amount of pressure. I walked in and saw Jeff Buckley, Katell Keineg, Sinéad O’Connor.”

He began playing at a few less wellknown spots, including the Sidewalk Café, and built a reputation which lead him back to the Sin-é, where he regularly played, sandwiched between Keineg and Buckley.

He also found himself playing alongside huge English names including Joe Strummer and Elvis Costello.

In 1999, he finally released his eponymously titled debut album, only for his record company to go out of business.

But again, he refused to quit, and eventually built up a loyal fan following in the US.

He has written movie scores, including music for 2005’s Loggerheads, 2006’s steel City, and 2010’s sons of Perdition, and his songs have also been featured on huge TV shows like One Tree Hill and Bones.

He returns to the region, after playing at Preston’s Mad Ferret in 2008.

This time, he tops the bill at A May Gathering with Mark Geary and Friends, a special one off show at the Priory Club, in Broadfield Drive, Leyland.

For the show, he will be joined by Grainne Hunt on backing vocals and local musician Ian Bailey on guitar.

Geary’s links with this area began when he met another Preston player, singer songwriter Seamus McLoughlin, in 2001.

Seamus says: “I met him in New York City. We were playing the venues, and coffee bars in the area.

“One day a few years back he got in touch because he was looking to tour England, so we did a few shows - and he made friends with a number of local musician friends of mine like Ian Bailey.

“Since then, he has built up a loyal local following and Ian books a couple of gigs a year and plays guitar with him. So yeah, basically blame me!”

Doors at the Priory open at 7.30pm on Saturday and support comes from another local star, Matthew Cogley, of Preston, Leyland and Chorley based rockers Failsafe.

Tickets are £10 each, which will be payable on the door on the night. Confirm your reservation via the event’s Facebook page or call 07963122978 to book or reserve your tickets.